Stage 3
As the Dust is Settles. . .
As my (new) life in the unemployment market begins to form, I am acutely aware of how despair can easily overcome a person. Lately, I have fought the urge to succumb to hopelessness by reminding myself of my qualifications, and determining to volunteer somewhere, anywhere – just to keep my business skills current and my mind sharp. As I venture down this uncharted territory, I realize what makes it (being unemployed) so difficult for me: I have never been without a job in my life. I had no plan “B.” I never considered or imagined NOT being in the work force.
Though it has only been about 6 weeks, at times it feels much longer than that. When I read the newspaper’s account of the unemployed rate, and how long each person has been collecting benefits, I wonder what my mental state will be like after 6 months or a year. Six weeks feels like eternity let alone 6 months, even worse yet; I can’t even imagine being unemployed a year or more.
I determined and willed myself to press on; my clouded vision became clearer only after my youngest daughter, noticing my despondency, announced -“Mom, you need a goal!” “You should focus on getting back in shape, while you are waiting for a call!” The comment weighed on my mind for a day or so. Not that I was overweight, or too out of shape, but she was right: I did need to change my focus and have a goal. That week I determined to train for the local 4th of July race – a 4 mile run.
In addition to having a physical goal, I decided to take a much overdue vacation. I came to this decision very simply: I knew that I would be gainfully employed again at some point in the future, and that I would most likely have to work at least 6 months to a year before getting any time off. Considering it had been four years since my last vacation, I crunched some numbers, and tapped my savings account and started making plans. Having planned a trip to DC a few years back which never materialized, I set out to redeem the long lost trip that would inspire and refresh my thought process.
Interestingly enough, I know it may seem odd for an unemployed person to take a vacation. Fact is- most people who are not working probably can’t afford to take a vacation. The bright side of my equation is that I have lived very frugally for the past few years in hopes of taking an Alaskan cruise; when that never happened, and I was subsequently laid off, I knew the money would help buffer my lean budget. Yes, I could leave the money in savings and not go to DC, but when it’s all done and said, and I look back on my life, I want to say that I have made memories, lived well, and not lived with “should’ves and could’ves which plague so many people.
As I continue to walk through the dust settling stage of this journey, I have learned that having a goal, and taking care of one’s physical health, is as important as taking a mental break and getting away. So here’s to the inspiration that I will glean on vacation. . . while I Journey through The Stages of Unemployment.
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